When play began Thursday morning, the field of the 114th U.S. Open was greeted by a Pinehurst No. 2 course that was far different than the course it had been practicing on all week.

The softer conditions not only lengthened the already stout 7500-yard layout, but had softer greens that allowed for aggressive play from the early groups on the course.

Phil Mickelson made three birdies and three bogeys to post an opening round of even par, putting him in a tie for 16th after Round 1. All eyes are on Mickelson this week, as he is looking to complete the career Grand Slam and vindicate himself of his six runner-up finishes in the U.S. Open including a close call on this very course to Payne Stewart in 1999.

“It’s a good start,” Mickelson said. “I didn’t hurt myself any. I had a chance to get 3, 4, 5-under today had I made some makeable opportunities. But I didn’t throw anything away on some of the short ones. Right now it’s my driving. I didn’t miss a fairway with my driver, it’s an unusual thing for me. The driver feels really good. I think that’s the club that is going to help me play well this week. And the one club that’s hurting me is the putter. So I’ve got to get that turned around the next couple of days.”

Other players from the early wave that took advantage of the soft conditions were Graeme McDowell (68), Henrik Stenson (69), Matt Kuchar (69) and Jordan Spieth (69).

Martin Kaymer was the one man who seemed to play a different golf course than the rest of the field. The 2014 winner of The Players Championship kicked off his U.S. Open with a scorching round of 65, the lowest ever at Pinehurst No. 2 in a U.S. Open. His round included six birdies against only one bogey. Kaymer’s ball striking continues to impress, as he hit 13 out of 14 fairways and averaged 301 yards off the tee, 20 yards longer than the field’s average of 281 yards. He also hit 11 of 18 greens.

“Well, it’s only the first round and usually the golf course only gets more difficult,” Kaymer said. “So I think if you stay around level par, you can’t be that far away from winning the golf tournament. Even though I shot 5-under, which is obviously an exceptional score, it’s very nice to lead the tournament right now.”

Other notables included Rory McIlroy (71), Jimmy Walker (70), Keegan Bradley (69) Dustin Johnson (69) and 2013 U.S Open Champion Justin Rose (72).

Forty-nine-year-old journeymen Fran Quinn provided the feel good story of Round 1 with a 68. Quinn, who had his 15 year old son on the bag, is playing in the third U.S. Open of his career with his best finish being 43rd in 1994 (Oakmont).

Friday TV Times

ESPN
9:00 AM EDT – 3:00 PM EDT
5:00 PM EDT – 7:00 PM EDT

NBC
3:00 PM EDT – 5:00 PM EDT